[[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Illinois Land and Property]] for more information.

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Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See [[Illinois Land and Property]] for more information about using land records.

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'''1817-present''' The original land and property records for&nbsp;Clay&nbsp;County are held by the County Recorder. See the info box above for contact information. The following copies are available:

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The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the [[The_Family_History_Library|Family History Library]] or the [http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/iradsrch.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)] located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Clay County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the [[IRAD_-_Eastern_Illinois_University|EIU IRAD Wiki page.]]

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:*'''1825-1892''' Deed Index [http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/iradsrch.html IRAD-EIU] Search for Clay County records. [[IRAD - Eastern Illinois University|Information about how to use IRAD]]

:*[http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/data_lan.html Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales] See [[Illinois Land and Property#State_Records|Illinois Land and Property]] for more information about this database. Also available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3780 Ancestry] ($)

:*[http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/data_lan.html Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales] See [[Illinois Land and Property#State_Records|Illinois Land and Property]] for more information about this database. Also available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3780 Ancestry] ($)

State

1840 Pensioners

A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C., 1841. FHL 973 X2pc 1840; FHL 2321; digital version at Google Books. [See Illinois, Clay County on page 186.]

Church History and Records

Catholic

FamilySearch has made parish records from two Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Clay County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:

1800s – Present - Use the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Index to obtain original federal land transfer records, including homestead, military warrants, and cash entry patents. These records help a researcher establish location and lead to National Archives’ records which may include genealogical information. Earlier land transfer records are at the National Archives.

Maps

Military History and Records

Civil War

Civil War service men from Clay County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Clay County.

Naturalization and Citizenship

Newspapers

Obituaries

Probate Records

Repositories

County Courthouse

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Clay County are kept, see the Clay County Courthouse page

Family History Centers

There are over 4500 Family History Centers worldwide which serve as branch facilities of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Volunteers provide research assistance to help patrons identify their ancestors. Microfilm and microfiche may be ordered from the FHL collection at a nominal cost. Locate your nearest Family History Center at the FamilySearch website. Call ahead to verify operating hours. All are welcome.

The following centers are accessible to residents of Clay County, Illinois:

Centralia Illinois Family History CenterLeafland & 3rd StreetCentralia, Marion, IllinoisPhone: 618-532-3482Hours: Wednesday 2-6pmAttention: We have temporarily moved to this new location while our building is being remodeled.

Please note: Addresses posted are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries

Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)

The Illinois State Archives administers a system of Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD) to manage the archival records of local governments. Local governments which have transferred records to the regional depositories include counties, townships, municipalities, and school districts. The records of Clay County come under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) regional depository.

Note: The depository is staffed by graduate student interns. Because of class scheduling conflicts, hours may vary somewhat from the published schedule. Researchers are urged to call before planning a visit.